The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1887-04-06
RELIGIOUS DISSIPATION.
Mrs. Smith NeGIects Her Household
Duties to Play Decoy Duck for
EInnara-

Just at this time many Atlanta people are
guilty of what can only he fairly described as
religious dissipation. The following circum-
stances can De testined ny scores oi men 1hsn IN
mestic drama "Snith," not with any inten~
tion Of making conspicuous any member OF
this ponr but honest family, but simply In an
The play opens at the breakfast table with
Smith surrounded by Mrs. Smith and the
MI Mr.. smith -"Araminta, l think the baby is
nurse keeps him in the house to-day"
Mrs; smIth-"Yes, Augustus pogou knoT,. b1ST,.
gave US last night that ever heard9,
Mr.. Smith-"If there is any dependence to
be put in your statements, ought TO know
It, for I've heard nothing & elre ,s ana ca Mr' i'h
About ten O'Clock he meets an old friend
whom he invites home to dinner with him.
and like all good husbands he sends he sends
messenger returns with the information that
his wife is at morning services. He crnm-
plies up his little note beginning, Darling
fra%s 1t in.a ms
Two hours later he needs paper which he
has gotten Aramnta to lock TO up In her pri-
vate escritore, and being unwilling to trust II
He n = fnds the baby Sitting in the piazza bare
headed, with the bleak wind cutting the tears
from its eyes, and the nurse entertaining her
young man In the Kitchen; Mr; Sm.th P1fiks P@ii
Araminta Mrs. Smith has not returned rom
church, however, and escapes. she also mas
the key of her escritoire safely with her, and
Smith being unable to get tne paper good srade
which he might have consummated II ne
could have cotton 1t.
He tells the cook that he wants a good oln-
ner for his friend, Mr.. Jones, who will be
home with him at two o'clock, and then ADDS,
Mrs. smith has the keys to the storeroom
NO, sir, she haint. She done leave 'em wild
ME when she gone out" ,,
Smiths grocery bill having been unusually
large OF late he had just had o new com,
Suggested to Araminta the proprIety. of keep
ing the key herself and giving out the meals
to the cook in person; And now, IN less than u;
three days, he comes home TO lind the COOK IN
charge of the new key.
Smith is too polite to swear. but there is
Just perceptiblc slam as the front door closes
behind him.
Mr.. Jones, Who is too polite to notice that the
Irish potatoes are not done, aud that there ls
no salt on the roast beef. w.,
Mr.. Smith-'Araminta, havn't seen Tom
before since were at school together, and l
wanted him to come with meand meet you"
Mrs. Smith-"Yes, I'm glad you did; been
10 had any SgerfectIy 9s T lovely talk from Dr. Haw-
Mr.. Jones-"Tve only been in the city few
hours; Wnoo is DR.. Blank' Are you attend
Smith rubs his feet together under the table
with keenest satisfaction Mt this innocent
query, and Sympathizcs with Jones when
Mrs Smith realizes that she has new SUP
iect to work on, and squares herself on to
give poor Jones what Smith mas peen suHet-
Ing for @ week past. ,, ,.
In the afternoon Smith hurrles tnrqugn nis
III, , orrtoV
around to get Mrs. Smith to drive over the
city together. Conscious that he Is doing the
nice thing and already seeing Aramin,as as
look of pleased surprise, he rushes IN 10 nho
she has gone to the four o'clock meeting. ,.,.
Ueand Jones continue their ride alone with
ardour somewhat dampened, but smith IN,
sists on his going home 10 Yea VIII ottnrvsrS n ARD
when he will really get an opportunity 70 see
what a nice little woman Araminta 1s NJ
home. They get home only to find that Ara
arnnnd etrlnun "s to- the @ 80 o'clock Mr. Smith pro-
tests but Mr. Jones feels Obliged TO SIDE Win
Mr. Smith, and they eat me,acnoIy meai as
Mrs. smith cxpatiates upon the eloquenee OF
Mr, Blank, whom they are going 10 hear.
That nirht after one of the little Smiths has
COTTON over an attack OF Group, ana tne oaoys
fever somewhat gone down, Mr.. smith says:
"Aramnta you've been a good member OF the
church for ten years. I havnt noticed any
recent Influx Of sin into your life that re-
ouirts this constant attendance upon church
meetings to counterbalnnce IT,"
Mrs. Smith-"Oh no, it amt that Augustus,
but then you know it's my duty to be there,
and let my devotion and constnncy attract
others who are not members"
Mr.. Smith-"Don't you think you have
here to keep the children near the nfe. and
saved them from being sick tonight, and had
been here to see that dinner was all right for
my friend, and to have given me that paper
when wanted it, and to have kept charge of
The storeroom keys and really fulfilled your
duties il would have been better than
being away from home all day ana slt-
II inp i'm In the amen corner to play decoy duck
for Sinners and have brother, pat you on
the back and say what help to him your
Is in the meeting. .
who can testify to the business OF this fancy
sketch.
The spring time IS coming gentle annie.
Prepare to visit her oy nttihs E9ulSehM Mi